While it is important to be aware of risks associated with feeding canola forage, it may provide an alternate forage for drought-stricken livestock producers.

Drought-stressed canola possible forage for livestock

It can work as an emergency source, but some risks need to be managed

Drought stress has resulted in poor canola stands that are unable to be harvested. Poor canola stands may provide an alternate forage option. “Livestock producers facing forage shortages may be able to feed their cows canola, provided they take certain precautions,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “While canola makes palatable feed, it may […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Richardson buys up veg oil-based drilling lubricant maker

Grain firm supplies canola oil to Control Chemical

The Calgary maker of Matex drilling fluids is under new ownership from one of its minority owners and its biggest supplier of crude canola oil. Winnipeg grain firm Richardson International announced last Tuesday it has bought full ownership of Control Chemical Corp. for an undisclosed amount. Control Chemical is billed as a specialized manufacturer of […] Read more



Photo: iStock

ICE weekly outlook: Major canola supply issues ahead

MarketsFarm – There’s a looming problem that’s on the verge of surfacing in the Canadian canola market – many growers will be unable to fulfill their contracts due to lower production. The drought across the Prairies dashed canola production estimates from the initially anticipated 20 million tonnes, to something that could be in the range […] Read more


Insect infestations and mould growth are the main causes of grain quality degradation. For example, insects can increase from being barely noticeable to a major infestation in just three to four weeks during the months with higher temperatures.

Ten tips for successful grain storage

Two storage experts discuss how to preserve cereal crop quality in the bin

Grain farmers can breathe a sigh of relief once harvesting is done, but the job isn’t over until the crop is out of the bin and in the hands of buyers. That’s why preserving the quality and, therefore, the value of stored grain is so important. We asked two storage experts — Ken Hellevang, extension […] Read more






(Dave Bedard photo)

Hot, dry weather creates ‘significant uncertainty,’ AAFC says

MarketsFarm — Supply/demand balance sheets for Canada’s major crops only saw minor adjustments in the latest update Tuesday from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, with hot and dry growing conditions leading to “significant uncertainty” on the state of the country’s 2021-22 crops. Total field crop production in the country was forecast to decrease due to a […] Read more

With a precision planter, Ken Van Raay seeds canola just under the soil surface on highly tilled, heavily manured land. He runs a pivot after seeding. 
He says the crop is up in two to seven days and he’s had the canopy close in less than 18 days.

A fresh look at the benefits of precision-planted canola

Five Alberta producers share their experiences

Precisely placing individual corn or soybean seeds in a row has led some canola growers to switch from air seeders to vacuum planters in the past few years. For a fresh look in 2021, Grainews spoke with five Lethbridge-area growers who had experience with precision planting canola in 2020. Two producers carried out field trials […] Read more